Fertilizer Use in Orchids

Culture

by Anu Dharmani

Originally published in BellaOnline

Posted by Sys Admin almost 8 years ago.

Article Blog   Article Index

Orchids, in fact all plants, require nutrition just like us to grow and reproduce. Plants take up nutrition in form of inorganic compounds present in the soil. In other words, the soil is composed of different types of mineral salts; like carbonates of calcium or sodium, different chlorides etc. Out of these soil minerals. Plants absorb some of minerals in large quantities and these are called macro-nutrients. There are others which are required and absorbed in very small amounts, called the micronutrients. Both types of nutrients are important for the plant and their deficiency in the plants (orchids) can be judged by deficiency symptoms. Such deficiencies can lead to poor or deformed growth, pest and diseases attacks. 

Nutritional requirement for each type of orchid is different. and is determined by the various factors such as morphology, growth habit and consequent needs, prevailing environmental conditions.

When trying to apply fertilizers to orchids, first be aware of the particular needs of that orchid. If fertilizer instruction were supplied along with the orchid, read and follow those instruction carefully. 

Most commonly used fertilizers are those which contain N (Nitrogen), P (Phosphorous), and K (Potassium) in different proportions. Fertilizers such as urea lead to an increase in leaf number. There are reports that fertilization does not have much effect on the flowering time, floral size or number of flowers. 

A fertilizer having a higher proportion of Nitrogen as compared to Phosphorus, has a better effect on overall growth of the orchid. 

There are two types of fertilizers: organic fertilizers and mineral or inorganic fertilizers. Sticking to just one type of fertilizer can harm the orchid more than doing it good. It is better to use a combination of organic and mineral fertilizers. This will help in supplying both kinds of nutrients (macro as well as micro) to the orchid. You can use a 1:1 mixture of organic and mineral fertilizers for your orchids.

Organic fertilizer is best when made at home. It is quite easy to prepare an organic fertilizer of leaf mold. Collect the fallen leaves in a pit and keep turning the leaves after an interval of few days. Turning leaves into leaf mold is work of bacteria and tiny insects. After about six months, when the texture and colour of the leaves changes to a dark clumpy stuff, your fertilizer is ready to be used in pots.

Share on Social Media:  
Log in to Add a Comment

New Topics

  1. Danielle Carbonneau asked question phalaenopsis, dendrochum and Odontoglossum in category Phalaenopsis
  2. Nicholas Filannino asked question Phalaenopsis William Kistler? in category General Discussion
  3. Mark Farran asked question How to open and read articles listed in category General Discussion
  4. Juliann Eckhard started topic Cattleya little susie in category Cattleya Alliance
  5. Shannon Gardea asked question NELLY ISLER in category General Discussion

New Comments

  1. Louis Wilson commented on member plant E. alata f. alba by Louis Wilson
  2. Julie Ellner commented on member plant Phal. amabilis var. formosanum by Vickie Seibert
  3. Julie Ellner commented on member plant Rlc. Green Dragoon 'Mendenhall' by Jeanne Uzar Hudson
  4. Danielle Carbonneau commented on member plant Ons. Catatante 'Los Roble' by Henry Shaw
  5. Barry J Silver commented on orchid Lyon. SunCoast Pink Passion
  6. Carol Holdren commented on topic "Phalaenopsis William Kistler?" by Nicholas Filannino
  7. Carol Holdren commented on orchid Colm. Eric Gabriel Heines
  8. Carol Holdren commented on topic "Cattleya little susie" by Juliann Eckhard
  9. Carol Holdren commented on member plant Bc. Morning Glory by Chris Siolo
  10. R .Benson commented on member plant Kir. New Hybrid (Fred Clarke) SVO9831 by R .Benson
  11. Carol Holdren commented on topic "Blooming Stenglottis Venus “jamboree “" by John Urey
  12. Jeanne Uzar Hudson commented on member plant Lc. Canhamiana var. coerulea 'Cobalt' by Jeanne Uzar Hudson
  13. Jeanne Uzar Hudson commented on member plant Sns. gemmata by Jeanne Uzar Hudson
  14. Stefan Neher commented on topic "Orchid roots .com site?" by Mary Lane
  15. Kevin Barry commented on member plant Bul. Tammie Sue Pernas by Tony Pernas
  16. Linda Hartman commented on member plant Ctt. Final Blue by Linda Hartman
  17. Kevin Bergeson commented on member plant Paph. rothschildianum by Kevin Bergeson
  18. Carol Holdren commented on topic "recently purchased orchid shows unstoppable roots " by David George
  19. Michael Makio commented on orchid V. Beatrice Makio
  20. Carol Holdren commented on topic "shorter stem with less vigorous blooms" by katherine mott